Abstract:

The invention relates to a rollover wash unit for a vehicle wash system,
comprising a traverse (9) and two lateral parts (2, 8) which are
permanently connected to the traverse (9) once the rollover wash unit is
mounted. The invention also relates to a method for mounting said
rollover wash unit. The aim of the invention is to allows an efficient
and space-saving transport and tan efficient, simple and fast mounting of
the rollover wash unit in situ. For this purpose, the traverse (9) and
the lateral parts (2, 8) are rotatably interconnected via at least one
articulated connection (11, 12) for mounting the rollover wash unit, said
connection having a rotational axis that extends substantially
perpendicular to the lateral parts (2, 8) and along the traverse (9). The
method according to the invention comprises the following steps:
positioning the lateral parts (2, 8) and the traverse (9) in a mounting
position in relation to each other (FIGS. 1 to 4), establishing at least
one articulated connection (11, 12) between the traverse (9) and the
lateral parts (2, 8) so that the lateral parts (2, 8) can be rotated in
relation to the traverse (9), displacing the traverse (9) from the
mounting position (FIGS. 1 to 4) to a final position (FIG. 7), the
lateral parts (2, 8) being displaced from the mounting position (FIGS. 1
to 4) to the final position (FIG. 7) about a rotation axis of the
articulated connection which axis extends substantially perpendicular to
the lateral parts (2, 8) and along the traverse (8), permanently
connecting the traverse (9) to the lateral parts (2, 8) so that no
rotation of the lateral parts (2, 8) in relation to the traverse (9) is
possible.

Claims:

1. A rollover wash unit for vehicle wash systems with a traverse and two
lateral parts, each of the traverse and two lateral parts are separate
elements in an unassembled state that are rigidly connected to the
traverse in a completely assembled state of the rollover wash unit,
wherein the traverse and the lateral parts are rotatably connected to one
another by means of at least one articulated connection with a rotational
axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the lateral parts and
along the traverse in order to assemble the rollover wash unit.

2. The rollover wash unit according to claim 1, wherein the articulated
connection features hinge pins and corresponding pin receptacles.

3. The rollover wash unit according to claim 1, wherein the articulated
connection is realized in the form of a hinge.

4. The rollover wash unit according to claim 1, wherein the articulated
connection is arranged at an upper end of the lateral parts with
reference to the operating state and at the outer ends of the traverse.

5. The rollover wash unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one
locking device, particularly a quick-release closure, is provided on the
traverse and the lateral parts in order to rigidly connect the traverse
to the lateral parts.

6. The rollover wash unit according to claim 1, wherein aligning elements
are provided on the traverse and the lateral parts and can engage into
one another.

7. The rollover wash unit according to claim 1, wherein rolling means for
transferring the lateral parts into the upright position during the
assembly are provided on the traveling legs of the lateral parts.

8. A method for assembling a rollover wash unit with a traverse and two
lateral parts that are rigidly connected to the traverse in the
completely assembled state of the rollover wash unit, the method
comprising the following steps:a) positioning the lateral parts and the
traverse relative to one another in an assembly position,b) producing at
least one articulated connection between the traverse and the lateral
parts such that the lateral parts can be turned relative to the
traverse,c) transferring the traverse from the assembly position into a
final position, wherein the lateral parts are transferred from the
assembly position into the final position about a rotational axis of the
articulated connection that extends substantially perpendicular to the
lateral parts and along the traverse, andd) rigidly connecting the
traverse to the lateral parts such that the lateral parts can no longer
be turned relative to the traverse.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the lateral parts are
positioned parallel to one another in the assembly position and the
traverse is positioned perpendicular to the lateral parts and such that
it overlaps the lateral parts, wherein the rotational axis of the
articulated connection extends substantially perpendicular to the lateral
parts and along the traverse.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the lateral parts lie on the
floor in the assembly position.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the lateral parts stand
substantially upright in the final position.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the traverse is not turned
during step c).

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the lateral parts are turned
during step c about traveling legs that are provided with the rolling
means.

14. The rollover wash unit according to claim 3, wherein the articulated
connection is arranged at an upper end of the lateral parts with
reference to the operating state and at the outer ends of the traverse.

15. The rollover wash unit according to claim 14, wherein at least one
locking device, particularly a quick-release closure, is provided on the
traverse and the lateral parts in order to rigidly connect the traverse
to the lateral parts.

16. The rollover wash unit according to claim 15, wherein aligning
elements are provided on the traverse and the lateral parts and can
engage into one another.

17. The rollover wash unit according to claim 16, wherein rolling means
for transferring the lateral parts into the upright position during the
assembly are provided on the traveling legs of the lateral parts.

18. The method according to claim 9, wherein the lateral parts lie on the
floor in the assembly position and the lateral parts stand substantially
upright in the final position.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the traverse is not turned
during step c).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the lateral parts are turned
during step c about traveling legs that are provided with the rolling
means.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The invention pertains to a rollover wash unit for a vehicle wash
system, as well as to a method for assembling a rollover wash unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Manufacturers of vehicle wash systems usually deliver rollover wash
units for vehicle wash systems to the operators of the vehicle wash
systems in the completely assembled state. This makes it possible to
start up the vehicle wash system at the intended location as quickly as
possible. However, this advantage of the quickest possible start-up of
the rollover wash unit at the operator of the vehicle wash system is
associated with the disadvantage that rollover wash units can only be
transported with special trucks due to the considerable width, height,
and weight of the rollover wash unit. Furthermore, the space between the
lateral parts and the portal traverse remains largely unused during the
transport due to the portal shape of the rollover wash unit. In larger
rollover wash units, e.g., for station wagons, it also has to be taken
into account that the assembled rollover wash unit exceeds the
permissible dimensions, particularly the permissible height, for road or
rail transport. Consequently, the traveling legs of the lateral parts of
the rollover wash unit are removed prior to the transport, wherein their
in situ reinstallation on the vehicle wash system is associated with
significant expenditures.

[0003]The size of a completely assembled rollover wash unit frequently
also creates problems during the assembly in washing bays because the
entrance doors of the washing bays frequently are not sufficiently large
for a completely assembled rollover wash unit. Therefore, the traveling
legs of the rollover wash units and parts of the sidewalls need to be
removed prior to the assembly in the washing bay in order to even move
the rollover wash unit into the washing bay.

[0004]Since completely assembled rollover wash units not only have large
dimensions, but are also very heavy, special heavy-duty cranes are
required for unloading and assembling the rollover wash units in situ,
wherein these cranes also require much space and a correspondingly paved
surface in order to unload and assemble the rollover wash unit in situ.

[0005]For example, DE 10 2004 053 357 A1 discloses a rollover wash unit of
this type in the form of a device for washing the exterior of motor
vehicles. In this device, a machine frame in the form of a car trailer is
described, on which at least one mast of the unit is arranged such that
it can be pivoted between an essentially horizontal and an essentially
vertical position. The distance of the base points of the masts from one
another can be varied on both masts to such an extent that the clear
width between the masts in the extended state is greater than the actual
width of the vehicle in question, e.g., a truck, while the overall width
of the vehicle wash system in the contracted state is not greater than
the permissible width of a car trailer that can be used on public roads
without a special permit. In order to vary the distance between the
masts, it is proposed that the arc that connects the masts be collapsible
in its center. The arc itself is rotatably arranged on the upper ends of
the columns that, in turn, can be turned relative to the lower sections
of the masts by 180° in order to realize a space-saving transport.
This device has the disadvantage that several tilting processes in
different directions are respectively required for the assembly and the
disassembly. The stability of the entire construction is reduced due to
the two-part masts and the two-part arc. The numerous hinges required for
the manufacture and the assembly are also expensive and complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]The present invention therefore is based on the objective of making
available a rollover wash unit and a method for assembling a rollover
wash unit that eliminate the above-described disadvantages and allow an
efficient and space-saving transport, as well as an efficient, simple and
fast assembly of the rollover wash unit in situ.

[0007]This objective is attained with a rollover wash unit for a vehicle
wash system with the characteristics of Claim 1 and a method for
assembling a rollover wash unit with the characteristics of Claim 8.
Advantageous embodiments and practical additional refinements of the
invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008]The initially cited rollover wash unit is characterized in that the
traverse and the lateral parts are rotatably connected to one another by
means of at least one articulated connection with a rotational axis that
essentially extends perpendicular to the lateral parts and along the
traverse in order to assemble the rollover wash unit. Due to this
articulated connection that may also be produced in situ prior to the
assembly of the rollover wash unit, the traverse and the lateral parts
can be transported separately prior to the assembly and moved into a
vehicle wash bay individually. Consequently, special trucks and cranes
are no longer absolutely imperative for transporting, as well as for
unloading and assembling, but naturally may still be used. If the
traverse and the lateral parts are then correspondingly positioned and
aligned relative to one another at the installation site and the
articulated connection with a rotational axis that essentially extends
perpendicular to the lateral parts and along the traverse is subsequently
produced such that the lateral parts can be turned relative to the
traverse, only a forklift is required for unloading the components from
the delivery truck. This forklift can also lift the traverse from the
assembly position while the lateral parts are moved into the final
position required for the final assembly of the rollover wash unit. The
assembly can then be easily and quickly completed by subsequently
connecting the traverse and the lateral parts such that they can no
longer turn relative to one another. The invention makes it possible to
save or use transportation space more efficiently and to simultaneously
realize a fast and simple assembly of the rollover wash unit, namely also
in small washing bays or a similarly confined space.

[0009]The articulated connection is preferably realized in the form of a
hinge. In one embodiment that is advantageous with respect to the
technical assembly, it is merely required to insert hinge pins or shafts
through the hinge bushings and to subsequently screw together the hinge
pins or shafts in order to connect the lateral parts and the traverse. In
another advantageous embodiment of the articulated connection, pivot pins
are arranged on the traverse or the lateral parts and engage into
corresponding pin receptacles on the other part.

[0010]In order to rigidly connect the traverse to the lateral parts, a
locking device is provided on the traverse and the lateral parts in
another advantageous embodiment. In this fashion the connection is
prevented from quickly and unintentionally loosening in the completely
assembled state of the rollover wash unit. The locking device may feature
a quick-release closure, for example, in the form of a quarter-turn
fastener or a snap-in locking device.

[0011]If the traveling legs of the rollover wash unit feature rolling
means, the still rotatable rollover wash unit that is connected by means
of the articulated connection can be transferred from the assembly
position into the final position in a particularly simple fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]Other special features and advantages of the invention are described
below with reference to one preferred exemplary embodiment that is
illustrated in the drawings. In these drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the lateral parts of a
rollover wash unit in an assembly position;

[0014]FIG. 2 shows the side view according to FIG. 1 as the traverse is
lifted onto the lateral parts;

[0015]FIG. 3 shows the side view according to FIG. 1 wherein the lateral
parts and the traverse are rotatably connected to one another before the
traverse is lifted;

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of the rollover wash unit
according to FIG. 3;

[0017]FIG. 5 shows the side view of the rollover wash unit according to
FIG. 3 while the traverse is lifted;

[0018]FIG. 6 shows the side view of the rollover wash unit according to
FIG. 3 shortly before the traverse being lifted reaches a final position,
and

[0019]FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of the rollover wash unit
according to FIG. 1 in the final position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020]FIGS. 1-7 show the installation of a rollover wash unit in a washing
bay from the delivery of the individual components up to the completed
assembly of rollover wash unit. In FIG. 1, a conventional forklift 1
transports a left lateral element 2 of a rollover wash unit into the
washing bay and places this lateral element onto a support beam 4 on the
washing bay floor 3. The lateral element 2 consequently is in a position
in which it is turned by 90° referred to its final position (see
FIG. 7). A traveling leg 5 is rigidly arranged on the lateral element 2,
namely at the left end in FIG. 1, and features rollers 6, 7 that serve
for displacing the rollover wash unit in the longitudinal or washing
direction L within a rail arrangement that is not illustrated in the
figures in its completely assembled state. The left lateral element 2 is
positioned on the floor 3 in such a way that the rollers 6, 7 engage with
a left rail of the rail arrangement as easily as possible during the
assembly of the rollover wash unit. After the left lateral element 2 is
placed on the floor 3, a right lateral element 8 that is only illustrated
in FIG. 4 is accordingly placed on the floor 3 and the support beam 4,
and aligned parallel to the left lateral element 2 in the longitudinal
direction L. The distance of the right lateral element 8 from the left
lateral element 2 is chosen such that the right lateral element 8 can
also engage into a right rail of the rail arrangement that extends
parallel to the left rail once the rollover wash unit is installed and
completely assembled. Washing brushes and other treatment modules are not
attached to the rollover wash unit until it is completely assembled and
in the final position so that they will not be damaged.

[0021]Once the two lateral elements 2, 8 are aligned, a traverse 9 is
placed onto the lateral parts 2 and 8 with an underside 10, wherein the
traverse 9 is essentially aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction L and the longitudinal sides of the lateral elements 2, 8 as
clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In this case, the underside 10 is the
side of the traverse that points to the floor 3 in the final position of
the rollover wash unit shown in FIG. 7. It also must be observed that
hinge bushings 11, 11' that are arranged on the lower right edge of the
traverse 9 in FIG. 2 and open on both sides are aligned with
corresponding hinge bushings 12, 12' on the left and on the right lateral
element 2, 8.

[0022]In order to optimally align the lateral parts 2, 8 and the traverse
9 during the assembly, aligning elements in the form of pins with
corresponding recesses are provided on the underside 10 of the traverse 9
and the lateral parts 2, 8 contacting the underside 10, and these are
engaged with each other when the traverse 9 is placed onto the lateral
parts 2, 8. The aligning elements also prevent the traverse 9 from
laterally shifting in the assembly position.

[0023]In order to produce an articulated connection that serves for
rotatably connecting the lateral parts 2, 8 to the traverse 9, the hinge
bushings 11, 12 are subsequently connected in a rotatable fashion by
means of one respective hinge pin for the left and the right lateral
elements 2, 8, wherein the hinge pins are secured from falling out with
screw nuts at their ends that protrude beyond the hinge bushings. This
does not impair the rotatability of the articulated hinge connection.

[0024]In an alternative embodiment that is not illustrated in the
drawings, the articulated connection features an open hinge bushing that
is rigidly arranged on the right edge of the underside 10 of the traverse
9 in FIG. 2. The hinge bushing is formed by a pipe that extends over the
entire length of the traverse 9 between the lateral parts 2, 8.
Subsequently, a hinge pin is inserted into the pipe and fixed on the
lateral parts 2 and 8 at its two ends that protrude beyond the pipe. In
this embodiment, an articulated connection is sufficient to turn the
lateral parts 2, 8 relative to the traverse 9. Instead of using one
continuous pipe, it would also be possible to attach several short pipe
sections over the length of the traverse 9 in this embodiment and to
insert the hinge pin into these pipe sections.

[0025]In order to produce an articulated connection that serves for
rotatably connecting the lateral parts 2, 8 to the traverse 9, the hinge
bushings 11, 12 are subsequently connected in a rotatable fashion by
means of one respective hinge pin for the left and the right lateral
element 2, 8, wherein the hinge pins are secured from falling out with
screw nuts at their ends that protrude beyond the hinge bushings. This
does not impair the rotatability of the articulated hinge connection.

[0026]After the articulated connection between the traverse 9 and the
lateral parts 2, 8 has been produced, the forklift 1 moves underneath the
traverse 9 with its lifting fork 13 and a spacer element 14 arranged
thereon as shown in FIG. 3. Subsequently, the lifting fork 13 with the
traverse 9 lying thereon is carefully lifted such that the lateral parts
2, 8 rotatably connected thereto are tilted from the assembly position
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 into the final position shown in FIG. 7.

[0027]FIGS. 5 and 6 show intermediate positions of the traverse 9 during
the lifting thereof, wherein the lateral parts 2, 8 carry out a
rotational movement about a lower tipping edge 15, 15' of the traveling
legs 5, 5' of the lateral parts 2, 8 in FIGS. 5 and 6 that is supported
on the floor 3, and wherein the turning radius R of the articulated hinge
connection 11, 12 about the tipping edges 15, 15' is schematically
indicated in the drawings. In order to carry out a rotational movement,
the forklift 1 needs to slowly move toward the left in the longitudinal
direction L in the embodiment shown, namely in accordance with the
rotational movement during the lifting of the lifting fork 13, until the
traverse 9 and the lateral parts 2, 8 have reached the final position
shown in FIG. 7.

[0028]In an embodiment of the invention that is not illustrated in the
drawings, rolling means in the form of rollers are attached to the
tipping edges 15, 15' such that the forklift 1 does not have to drive
forward while the traverse 9 is lifted, but merely needs to lift up the
traverse 9 with its lifting fork 13. The traveling legs 5, 5' of the
lateral elements 2, 9 [sic; 2, 8] then roll from the distant position
referred to the forklift shown in FIG. 3 toward the forklift 1 on the
rollers of the tipping edges 15, 15' until the lateral parts 2, 8 arrive
in the final position shown in FIG. 7. It would also be possible to use
suitable rolling means other than rollers such as, for example, wheels,
cylinders, etc.

[0029]In order to finish the assembly of the rollover wash unit, the
traverse 9 is rigidly connected to the lateral parts 2, 8 in the final
position of the rollover wash unit shown in FIG. 7 in order to prevent
turning of the traverse 9 relative to the lateral parts 2, 10 [sic; 2,
8]. For this purpose, a locking device 16 is provided on the upper edges
of the traverse 9 in FIG. 7 and on the lateral parts 2, 8 in order to
rigidly and quickly fix the traverse 9 on the lateral parts 2, 8. In this
embodiment, the locking device consists of hooks that are rotatably
arranged on the traverse 9 and engage into corresponding recesses on the
lateral parts 2, 8. The hooks are also provided with a snap-in projection
that engages into corresponding snap-in grooves of the recesses to thus
prevent the locking device from unintentionally loosening. Alternatively,
the traverse 9 and the lateral parts 2, 8 may also be rigidly connected
to one another by means of quarter-turn fasteners, screw connections or
other suitable connecting elements.

[0030]In order to achieve an optimal alignment between the lateral parts
2, 8 and the traverse 9 in the final position shown in FIG. 7, not-shown
aligning elements in the form of pins with corresponding recesses are
provided on the contacting surfaces and engage into one another in the
final position shown in FIG. 7.

[0031]In an alternative embodiment that is not illustrated in the
drawings, the articulated connection can also be arranged on the upper
side of the traverse 9. In this case, the corresponding coupling of the
articulated connection to the lateral parts 2, 8 is realized at the
contact point between the right upper edge of the traverse 9 shown in
FIG. 7 and the lateral parts 2, 8. In order to facilitate lifting, the
lateral parts are placed on the floor with the side that points upward in
FIG. 1 such that the traveling legs 5, 5' lie on the floor with the
rollers 6, 6' on the right in FIG. 1 and the upper ends of the lateral
parts 2, 8 rest on a support platform on the left. The traverse 9 is then
moved toward the upper ends of the lateral parts 2, 8 by means of the
forklift 1 from the left in reference to the drawings and is connected
thereto by means of the articulated connection. After slightly lifting
the traverse 9 with the lifting fork 13, the support platform is removed
and the traverse 9 is subsequently lifted into the final position. This
causes the lateral parts 2, 8 to turn into their upright final position
as described above. The advantage of this embodiment can be seen in that
the rollers 6 provided to the traveling legs 5, 5' can be used instead of
the rollers on the tipping edge 15. Furthermore, the rollers 6 can
already be placed on the rails of the rail arrangement such that the
lateral parts 2, 8 are guided into the final position when the rollover
wash unit is transferred into the upright position.

[0032]If the traverse 9 should be arranged on the right side of the
lateral parts 2, 8 instead of the left side in FIG. 7, the traverse 9 is
placed on the floor 3 to the right of the lateral parts 2, 8 in FIG. 1.
In this position, the articulated connection is produced on the upper
side of the traverse 9 and at the upper ends of the lateral parts 2, 8 as
described above with reference to the alternative embodiment. The
traverse 9 is lifted by means of the forklift 1 from the right in this
case, wherein the lifting process essentially takes place as in the
embodiment shown.